This workshop is an offering that fuses creative writing exercises, authentic movement meditations, dance techniques, a series of still & flowing yoga moves (asanas & vinyasas) & breath-work exercises (pranayama). The intention is to help practitioners connect to their individual sense of self-expression within an open-minded communal group practice!

Gabrielle de Burke initially became interested in yoga during her childhood partially influenced as a result of visiting her Sikh neighbors who had a private shrine/practice space where they taught Kundalini yoga classes in their home. Stimulated by her early childhood exposure to the moving arts, she was later inspired as a young adult in college to take classes in Hatha & Ashtanga Yoga to help her maintain focus & offered a fitness regimen that balanced her courses of study in the performing arts.

In 1999, Gabrielle immersed herself in the Chinese practices of Taoist forms of internal/martial arts by training with Master Chik Quadir Mason, founder of the Spirit Wind Internal Arts Society. She received many certifications of study in the forms of Pa-Kua Chang, Tao Yin Yoga, Chi Kung, Tai Chi Chuan plus earning her “Warrior Sash” for Kung Fu, in addition to learning bodywork techniques such as Lin Zi Chi Therapy & Thai Massage. Part of her studies with the group involved participating in group collaborations, demonstrations & performances that included poetry inspired by the practice. In 2000, she earned her B.A. from Temple University’s Department of Theater (with an exploratory concentration in dance, music & voice) while continuing her training & apprenticeship with encouragement of Sifu Mason to begin her teaching career.

Gabrielle’s work as a healing arts practitioner & instructor continues to intersect with her work as an inter-disciplinary performance artist through the incorporation of internal and martial arts forms in combination with dance, poetry and theater presentation (www.plumdragoness.com). She revears Yoga & other healing arts modalities as precious tools, reminding us to create the sacred space necessary to care for old injuries & be mindful of shifts in the bodies alignment that that for her appear as a result of being a high energy performer in addition to a teacher.